new chickens run size

[cyberpedz]

Hi all I am very new to keeping chickens and the site,this evening we got two marans I believe their are called around four months old from my dad.

This run and coop pictured is what they have been in and are currently in but I feel it may be to small. Would love your feedback and thoughts. Also my dad said they should start laying in around 6-8 weeks so I guess I then seen them on to layers pellets they are currently feed mixed corn which my dad has been feeding them. Thanks all love the site.

 

[12chickenlover3]

You definitaley need a bigger coop and run. Or you could free range them. And keep the coop the size it is.

 

[Easter Bunny]

I read that inside coop should be 2-4 sqft per bird and outside run space should be 5 sqft per bird. I am new to chickens too. I have a coop but rarely keep them in there. They are amazing.. The don't run away and they put themselves back in the coop at night! The only concern is predators. Never forget to lock them up at night!

 

[cyberpedz]

Yes I think we defo need a bigger one. I was tempted to free range although our garden is not that big anyway and worry they will jump the wall and be off as it is chest high at the most. I am thinking of getting this and attaching it the current one would that then be big enough for these two. http://www.chickencoopsandhouses.co.uk/cocoon-cc1500-chicken-coop-house.html

 

[Ms Steak]

Rather than buy a new house and run, can`t you make a bigger run and put the house inside it? I think you would find that run is pretty small too.

 

[aart]

Yes I think we defo need a bigger one. I was tempted to free range although our garden is not that big anyway and worry they will jump the wall and be off as it is chest high at the most. I am thinking of getting this and attaching it the current one would that then be big enough for these two. http://www.chickencoopsandhouses.co.uk/cocoon-cc1500-chicken-coop-house.html

I'll bet that's not much bigger than what you have..the dimensions are the overall dimensions, not just for the coop space.

What you have now will hold them for awhile. I strongly suggest you do some (a lot of) reading here before you decide what to do, there are lots of options and situations as examples.

Cause you know you're gonna want more chickens if you like these two

 

[Easter Bunny]

Beware the chicken math! I only wanted 5 and now I have 11.

 

[renardsubtil]

Mine is maybe a little bit bigger and I have two 7 month old chickens. I let them out in the little caged run area during the day when no one is home and let the chickens free range whenever my wife or me are doing yard work. They seem to be happy with that arrangement since they've been laying everyday so far.

Our fence is also only a little higher than waist high but we made sure to get a heavier breed and to clip their wings so they would less likely take flight.

 

[cyberpedz]

Ok so I think what I might do is get something like this. http://www.chickencoopsandhouses.co.uk/cc600-2012.html (Is this to big for the two?) This is the inside of that one http://www.chickencoopsandhouses.co.uk/images/D/600web2.jpg then build my own run.
I still have a million questions though!

Firstly the chickens currently don't have a perch in their house, they don't seem to bothered by that and look quite happy snuggled in the straw together. Will they be ok changing to a perch if they have never used one?

In regard to the run what is the best ground cover at the mo they are on the grass which is fine but won't take long for them to destroy it which I don't think the landlord will be overly happy with. Was thinking of having part the run on hardcore and part on grass. On the hardcore bit was thinking of putting down gravel and wood chip or something. What is the best to put down. Sand grit stuff maybe, does it have to be a special type or can I just get stuff from builders yard?

Water and feed. I am getting two hanging feeders today for water and feed so it's off the ground. Should these be in the coop or in the run?

When they are ready to lay will they automatically use the nest box or will I need to teach them.

Sorry so many questions but want to to right by our little chickens. In regard to the run how bug should it be if they were to spend most of their time in it.

Edit:
Just came across this one how would this suit our two? http://www.garden4less.co.uk/large-chicken-coop-with-nest-box-and-run.asp

 

[cyberpedz]

Ok so confused now! I thought i would put all my questions in the post to make it a bit clearer. i have found the few options below. Firstly will they be big enough for our two, i know the chicken math but our garden is not going to allow us any more anyway maybe one more at a push so we will not be growing our flock.

So here are the options i have found so far would be great to get your experienced feedback.

1. Get this and make a run http://www.chickencoopsandhouses.co.uk/cc600-2012.html this is the inside http://www.chickencoopsandhouses.co.uk/images/D/600web2.jpg

2. http://www.garden4less.co.uk/large-chicken-coop-with-nest-box-and-run.asp

3. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-EX-LA...t=UK_Pet_Supplies_Poultry&hash=item4173bb6078 this might be better for our two? Thoughts please. Thanks again for all your help and suggestions so far.

My other questions are

• can i let these free range in the garden? my worry is they will fly off or get away, our wall is just below chest high and about a couple of foot away on the other side of the wall is a big drop down to a train track. We also have a lot of pigeons and seaguls that are often around our garden will this be a problem?
• The chickens currently don't have a perch in their house, they don't seem to bothered by that and look quite happy snuggled in the straw together. Will they be ok changing to a perch if they have never used one?
• For the run what is the best ground covering? They are on the grass at the mo but not sure we will keep them on at as i dont think landloard would be happy with no grass left! We have a hardcore area that i was thinking of putting them on but what should we have on the ground?
• Do we need a dust bath? and what should be in it?
• Should we have water and feed indoors or out or both?
• Will they know to use nest boxes to lay when they are ready?

Sorry so many questions i hope you can all help though.